Security locking system for vehicle wheel nuts

ABSTRACT

A security locking system primarily for use in the locking of a threaded retaining member onto a vehicle wheel. In one embodiment, the threaded retaining member may adopt the form of wheel lug nuts which are threaded onto the threaded studs of a vehicle wheel. The locking system comprises a sleeve or so-called &#34;cover&#34; extendable over the retaining member. A locking mechanism is mounted in an end wall of the sleeve. The locking mechanism is provided with a locking element which is extendable radially for engagement with a groove in the wheel lug and provides a positive locking action. The locking mechanism is provided with a cylindrically shaped key slot and has projections in the key slot. A key is provided with certain grooves alignable with the projections in the key slot to receive the key such that only the key having the aligned and properly sized recesses can be used to open and close the locking element. In this way, a conventional tumbler system normally used in most vehicle wheel locks can be avoided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to certain new and useful improvementsin security locking systems, and more particularly, to a securitylocking system which utilizes a unique key-lock combination and whichdoes not require a tumbler action lock.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

In recent years, there has been an increased incidence in automotivevehicle theft and also in the theft of components from automotivevehicles. Due to the substantial cost of vehicle wheels and vehiclewheel covers, these components have been the subject matter of a highrate of theft incidence. The average thief can jack-up a vehicle andwithin a matter of minutes, remove all four wheels from a vehicle. Inorder to protect against this type of theft problem, many vehicle ownershave resorted to security locking devices for the wheel lug nuts andwheel bolts.

There are essentially two types of security wheel locking devices whichare commercially available. The first of these security wheel lug nutlocking devices resides in the use of a conventional locking mechanismwhich engages the wheel lug nut or bolt in some operative action topreclude removal of the lug nut or bolt when the lock is in the lockedstate. This locking device utilizes a conventional tumbler action lock.Thus, the locking device is provided with a conventional key slotreceiving a conventional key which causes movement of the tumblers in aconventional locking fashion to open or close the lock.

The second type of security wheel lug locking system which is employedrelies upon the use of a lug nut which is threaded onto the vehiclewheel bolt-shaft or stud or otherwise a bolt which is threaded into aninternally threaded hole in the wheel. In either case the bolt or nutserves as a retainer member which has an outer end with an unusual orirregular shape or with an interior bore having an unusual or irregularshape designed to receive a special lug nut removal tool. In this case,only a party having the special lug nut wrench can remove the lug nut.Thus, the user of this type of lug nut locking device is required tocarry a special wrench, or otherwise, an adaptor for a conventionalwrench and which adaptor will fit the particular lug nut lockingdevices.

Each of the prior art locking devices have somewhat limitedeffectiveness for several reasons in addition to those mentioned above.These prior art locking devices, by virtue of their design, are elongatein construction. Because they use conventional locking mechanisms theseprior art devices must be elongate to enable a tumbler locking action.Since they extend radially with respect to the rim of the wheel theirdimension and weight creates an unbalanced force on the wheel.

The conventional tumbler operated locking mechanisms are also complex inconstruction and have a substantial amount of weight. It would bedesirable to provide a locking mechanism which is light in weight andsimple in construction which would also reduce the cost of manufacture.In addition, there are many applications where space is at a premium.Therefore, it is desirable to provide a locking device which can operatewithin a small amount of space.

The conventional tumbler locks also have limited effectiveness sincethey easily become fouled by dirt or other foreign matter. Due to theproximity of the wheel to the road surface, foreign matter quicklyaccumulates within the actual locking mechanism, thus interfering withthe proper operation of the locking mechanism. After a period of time,due to the accumulation of foreign matter, such as road surface dirt,the tumbler lock is rendered unusable. Inasmuch as only one key is usedfor all of the lug nut locking devices, if one of the locking devicesshould become inoperative, it is necessary for the user to replace allof the lug nut locking devices on the vehicle. When considering the factthat each vehicle wheel may have up to five or more individual lug nutlocks, this can become an expensive undertaking.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention toprovide a security locking system which utilizes a unique key-lockcombination and which does not rely upon the need of a conventionaltumbler operated lock.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a securitylocking system of the type stated which is highly effective for use withautomotive vehicle wheels to preclude the incidence of theft of thevehicle wheels.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wheel lugnut or bolt locking device of the type stated which does not require theuse of tumbler operated locks and which does not require specialwrenches therefor.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide asecurity locking system of the type stated which can be manufactured ata much lower cost than the conventional security locking systems andwhich is highly effective in operation.

It is another salient object of the present invention to provide asecurity wheel lug locking system in which a sleeve housing is disposedover a wheel lug nut or bolt and is freely rotatable thereon when in thelocked position to thereby preclude unauthorized removal of the wheelnut or bolt.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide asecurity lug locking device of the type stated in which a key way isprovided in the form of a cylindrically shaped slot having projectionstherein arranged with respect to recesses on a cylindrically shaped keyto permit entry into and actuation of the locking device by the key.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a securitylocking system of the type stated which is constructed in a very smallcompact unit and which is capable of being used on or near the rim of avehicle wheel without adding any substantial unbalancing forces to thevehicle wheel.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in thenovel features of form, construction, arrangement and combination ofparts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a broad aspect, the present invention is directed to a securitylocking system in which a threaded retaining member is retentively heldon a fixed structure by a theft-proof assembly, as hereinafterdescribed. In a more preferred embodiment, the invention is directed toa security wheel lug locking system. In one aspect the lug may beconsidered as a part of the system and in another aspect, a generallyconventional lug nut or bolt may be used with the system.

The term "retaining member" is used in a broad sense to includeessentially any form of threaded members such as a bolt or a nut whichis capable of being engaged onto a threaded fixed structure by a turningaction. Thus, in the case of a wheel lug device, the lug may adopt theform of a lug nut or a lug bolt. In the case of the lug nut, the nut isthreadedly secured onto a threaded shaft or so-called "stud" projectingoutwardly from the wheel of a vehicle. In the case of a lug bolt, thebolt is provided with a threaded shank for turning into and threadedlyengaging an internally threaded hole in the vehicle wheel. In eithercase, the lug device serves as a threaded retaining member such that itfunctions to retain some other member, as for example, a vehicle wheelonto a wheel hub like structure.

The wheel lug nut is similar to prior art wheel lug nuts in that itincludes a body having an internal bore with an internally threadedsection in the bore for threaded engagement with the lug nut receivingbolt or so-called "stud", which projects outwardly from the surface ofthe vehicle wheel. As indicated above, the retaining member, such as thenut or bolt, may be considered as part of the system, or the nut or boltmay be any nut or the bolt, which may be modified, if required, to beused with the security locking system of the present invention.

The wheel lug nuts used with the invention, each must have an internallyformed circumferential groove located to receive a locking element orso-called "slide" forming a part on a portion of the locking system, ina manner to be hereinafter described in more detail. In like manner, thewheel lug bolts used with the invention usually include a central borein one portion thereof. This bore must also have a circumferentialgroove located to receive the locking element or slide forming a part ofthe locking system.

The security wheel lug locking system of the present invention includesa sleeve housing which is adapted to extend over a wheel lug nut or boltwhen the latter has been secured onto a wheel plate or similar structureand projects outwardly from a surface of the vehicle wheel plate. Thissleeve is freely rotatable over the wheel lug nut or bolt, particularlywhen in the locked position. In this way, unauthorized removal of thewheel lug nut or bolt cannot be achieved by someone attempting to engagea cylindrically shaped housing of the sleeve with a wrench or otherimplement in an attempt to un-thread the wheel lug nut or bolt.

A locking mechanism is carried by the sleeve housing but is spaced fromthe interior surface of the sleeve housing, thereby forming an annularspace between the sleeve housing and the locking mechanism. The outerend of the wheel lug nut or bolt is capable of being received withinthis annular space in surrounding relationship to the locking mechanism.

The locking mechanism is mounted on the flat outer wall of thesleeve-housing and projects into the interior portion thereof. Anannular key receiving slot is formed within the outer end wall of thesleeve housing and within the locking mechanism to receive a manuallyoperable key. The key receiving slot is formed with a plurality ofprojecting elements and which are arranged in a predetermined pattern.The key, which is user operable, is an arcuately shaped key, andpreferably a circularly shaped key, having recesses located to bereceived by the projections in the key receiving slot.

A plurality of different locking mechanisms and key combinations may beprovided by altering the arrangement of the projecting elements in thekey slot and the recesses on the key. Thus, for a key to fit aparticular locking mechanism, the recesses must be precisely alignedwith and have sizes sufficient to pass by the projections in the keyslot.

When key is inserted into the cylindrically shaped key slot, entry ofthe key can be afforded if the recesses are aligned with the projectingelements, which thereby allows the key to be inserted into the lockingmechanism past the projecting elements. A tab on the key will thenengage with a locking element or so-called "slide", forming part of thelocking mechanism, and by a camming action, force the same into thegroove formed in the lug nut. In like manner, when it is desired tounlock the security locking device the key is rotated in the oppositedirection, causing removal of the locking element from the groove in thesleeve housing and which permits removal of the sleeve housing from thelug nut or bolt.

In accordance with the present invention, the particular arrangement ofthe projecting elements and the recesses in the key can be altered fromone locking mechanism to another locking mechanism, such that only onekey is operable with a particular locking mechanism. Thus, by changingthe circumferential spacing between the various recesses in the key andcorrespondingly changing the circumferential spacing of the projectionsin the key receiving slot, a different locking mechanism pattern iscreated.

The security locking system of the present invention provides a lockingdevice which is highly effective for use as a vehicle wheel lockingmechanism inasmuch as it can be constructed so as to assume a very smallamount of space. In this respect, the locking device is essentially ofdisk type of construction in that it has a very small thickness. As aresult, it is not only light in weight, but more importantly, it doesnot extend radially from the rim of the wheel for any substantialdistance. As a result, this locking device causes little or nounbalancing of the wheel which is common with other types of lockingdevices. Furthermore, the locking device of the present invention isvery light in weight and is operable with a minimum number of componentsand thereby enables the device to be manufactured at a relatively lowcost. The various parts of the locking device can be constructed t amuch lower cost when compared to a tumbler operated locking mechanism.

This invention possesses many other advantages and has other purposeswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of theforms in which it may be embodied. One of these embodiments ishereinafter described in the detailed description of the invention, withreference to the drawings forming a part of and accompanying the presentspecification. This embodiment will now be described in detail for thepurposes of illustrating a practical embodiment and the generalprinciples of the invention, but it is to be understood that suchdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings (three sheets) in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a security wheel lockingsystem constructed in accordance with and embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded side elevational view of the security wheellocking system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of a portion of FIG. 2and showing the interior construction of a lug nut;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4--4 of a portion of FIG. 2and showing the sleeve housing in sectional view, but not showing thekey locking mechanism in section;

FIG. 4A is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 4, but showing the housingof the key locking mechanism in cross-section in the sleeve housing;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view taken substantially along the plane ofline 5--5 of FIG. 2 and showing the key receiving slot to receive a keyforming part of the system of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of the key taken along the plane ofline 6--6 of FIG. 2 and showing an end view of the key forming part ofthe system of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view showing a portion of theshank of the key of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the sleeve housing disposed over awheel lug nut and with the key inserted into the key slot of the lockingmechanism;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 8 and showing aportion of the locking mechanism forming part of the security wheellocking system of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a somewhat schematic sectional view transverse to the centralaxis of the sleeve housing and showing a locking element forming part ofthe locking mechanism in a locked position;

FIG. 11 is a somewhat schematic sectional view, similar to FIG. 10, butshowing the locking element forming part of the locking mechanism in theunlocked position;

FIG. 12 is an end elevational view taken along the plane of line 12--12of FIG. 4 and showing a portion of the key receiving slot forming partof the locking mechanism;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a locking mechanism body with the lockingmechanism components removed therefrom;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the locking mechanism body in a positiontaken transverse to the body along line 14--14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a locking element or so-called slide formingpart of the locking mechanism;

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional view showing a portion of a plungerassembly forming part of the locking mechanism of the present invention,when the locking element is in a locked position;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 16, and showing theposition of the plunger assembly and the locking element when the latteris in the unlocked position;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing a portion of the locking mechanismwith a key inserted therein;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view, somewhat similar to FIG. 16, and alsoshowing the plunger assembly forming part of the locking mechanism ofthe present invention when the locking element is in a locked position;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view, somewhat similar to FIG. 17, and showingthe position of the plunger assembly and the locking element when thelatter is in the unlocked position;

FIG. 21(A) is an end elevational view of a modified form of key whichmay be used in accordance with the present invention and takensubstantially along the same plane of line 6--6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 21(B) is an end elevational view of a key slot forming part of alocking mechanism with which the key of 21(A) may be used;

FIG. 22(A) is an end elevational view of still another modified form ofkey which may be used in the present invention and taken substantiallyalong the plane of line 6--6 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 22(B) is an end elevational view of a modified form of key slotforming part of a locking mechanism with which the key of FIG. 22(A) maybe used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to the drawingswhich illustrate a practical embodiment of the present invention, Adesignates a wheel lug nut locking system of the present invention whichis comprised of a wheel lug nut 20 and a sleeve or cover 22 and a key24, as best illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

The lug nut 20 is essentially conventional in its construction, exceptfor a slight modification as hereinafter described. In this case, thelug nut 20 is hexagonal in its outer cross-sectional shape and iscomprised of a body 26 which is elongate and which is provided withhexagonally arranged outer walls 28. In this respect, the lug nut body26 is adapted to be received in a conventional wrench socket. At oneend, the body 26 is provided with a tapered section 30 to fit within anopening of a wheel in a conventional manner.

The lug nut 20 is also provided with an internal bore 32 extendingtherethrough in the manner as illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Aportion of the bore 32 is provided with an internally threaded section34 for mating with an external thread on a wheel bolt or stud (notshown).

The above described construction of the wheel lug nut 20 is essentiallyconventional. The wheel lug nut 20 may be slightly modified for use withthe wheel lug nut locking mechanism of the present invention and, inthis case, is provided with an enlarged bore section 36 adjacent an end38 which is opposite the tapered end section 30. The enlarged boresection 36 is also provided with a circumferentially extending groove40, for reasons which will presently more fully appear. In this respect,the end 38 is often referred to as an "outer end" inasmuch as the lugnut 20 is placed on a wheel in a manner in which the tapered end 30projects inwardly toward the wheel of the vehicle, and the end 38projects outwardly from the wheel.

In can be observed that the wheel locking lug nut 20 can be easilyremoved from the bolt or so-called bolt stud projecting outwardly fromthe wheel of a vehicle by means of a conventional socket wrench. In thisrespect, a conventional socket wrench would fit over the outer end 38and would be provided with walls to engage the flat walls 28 of the lugnut 20. By turning the lug nut 20, in the proper direction, it will beun-threaded from the externally threaded stud of the wheel.

The security locking system of the present invention has been describedin connection with the use of a vehicle wheel lug nut. However, itshould be understood that a lug bolt would be operable in essentiallythe same manner as the lug nut is operable. The bolt is usually alsoprovided with an elongate shank which is externally threaded. Moreover,a portion extends outwardly from the shank and includes a central boremuch in the same manner as the lug nut itself.

The present invention provides the sleeve 22 which is adapted to becircumferentially disposed about the lug nut 20. The sleeve 22 isprovided with a cylindrically shaped outer wall 42 and which forms aninterior central bore 44, the latter being sufficiently large indiameter so as to be slideably disposed over the lug nut 20. Thecylindrically shaped side wall 42 is integrally connected to arelatively flat transverse end wall 46 in the manner as illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5 of the drawings.

As indicated previously, the sleeve 22 is capable of being axiallyshifted along the lug nut 20 so that it is capable of being completelydisposed thereover. When in this position, the bore 44 of the sleeve 22is sufficiently large so that the sleeve 22 may literally be rotated onthe lug nut 20. Thus, and in this position, when the sleeve 22 is lockedonto the lug nut 20, in a manner to be hereinafter described in moredetail, it is virtually impossible to rotate the lug nut and therebyremove the same from the stud of the wheel.

The end wall 46 of the sleeve 22 carries a locking mechanism 50 forpurposes of locking the sleeve 22 onto the lug nut 20. The lockingmechanism 50 is fitted within an opening 52 in the end wall 46 andretentively held therein by a conventional securement means, as forexample, by welding or brazing the same to the flat end wall 46. Thelocking mechanism 50 is comprised of a somewhat disk-shaped outerhousing 54 having a cylindrically shaped outer side wall 56 and anoutwardly presented flat end wall 58, as well as an inwardly presentedflat end wall 60, reference being made to FIGS. 4, 4A, 8, and 13 of thedrawings. FIG. 4 shows the locking mechanism in elevation, as mounted inthe sleeve 22, the latter being shown in cross-section. FIG. 4A issimilar to FIG. 4 and shows the housing 54 of the locking mechanism 50in cross-section. The locking mechanism 50 carries a radially shiftablelocking element 62 (more fully illustrated in FIG. 15) which is capableof shifting outwardly of the locking mechanism housing 54 through a slot64 formed in the housing, as best illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 13 of thedrawings. Thus, when the lock is actuated and moved to the lockedposition, as hereinafter described in more detail, the locking element62 will be biased outwardly of the locking mechanism housing 54 and intothe groove 40 of the lug nut 20. Thus, the sleeve 22 will be retentivelyheld onto the lug nut 20.

Inasmuch as the groove 40 is continuous and extends annularly around theenlarged interior bore section 36, the locking element 62 will movewithin the groove 40. Thus, the sleeve 22 will be rotatable about thelug nut 20. However, when in the locked condition, the locking element62 being fitted within the groove 40 will preclude axial shiftingmovement, and hence, preclude removal of the sleeve 22 from the lug nut20. In like manner, when the lock is shifted to the unlocked position,the locking element 62 is retracted within the housing 54, therebypermitting axial shifting movement and hence, removal of the sleeve 22from the lug nut 20.

The locking mechanism is operable by means of the key 24, the latter ofwhich is more fully illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6-8 of the drawings.The key 24 is provided with a cylindrically shaped key shank 66 and anenlarged head 68 which is adapted for engagement by the fingers of auser. The shank 66 is tubular in construction such that it has aninterior central bore 69. At its innermost end, that is the left-handend, reference being made to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 of the drawings, the shank66 is provided with a diametrically reduced section 70. Integrallyconnected to the diametrically reduced section 70 is a rim 72 having aplurality of recesses 74 spaced on the periphery of the rim 72. Inaddition, an outwardly projecting tab 76 extends from the rim 72 in themanner as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7 of the drawings.

The shank 66 and the rim 72 thereon are sized to fit within a circularlyshaped key receiving slot 80 formed on the outer wall 58 of the lockingmechanism housing 54, in the manner as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5 ofthe drawings. Moreover, the circularly shaped slot is provided with aradially outwardly extending keyway 82 in order to receive the tab 76 onthe rim 72 of the key 24. Thus, the key 24 can be inserted into the keyslot 80 in only one orientation, that is, when the tab 76 is alignedwith the keyway 82.

It can be observed that the key shank 66 will fit within the key slot 80since the shank itself is of a tubular construction. In this way, whenthe key shank 66 is inserted into the locking mechanism 50, it canoperate the locking mechanism in order to cause a shiftable outwardmovement of the locking element 62 (FIG. 10) or an inward shiftingmovement of the locking element 62 (FIG. 11). Thus, when the key shank66 is inserted into the key slot 80 and turned in one direction, such asa clockwise direction, it will cause movement of the locking element 62outwardly of the housing 54 and into the groove 40 of the lug nut 20.When the key is rotated in the opposite direction, such as for example,the counter-clockwise direction, it will cause movement of the lockingelement 62 back into the locking mechanism housing 54 and thereby permitremoval of the sleeve 22 from the lug nut 20.

The locking mechanism is provided with a plurality of projections 84which extend into the key slot 80, as shown in FIG. 12, and which wouldotherwise block the key from entering into the key slot except for therecesses 74 formed in the rim 72. Thus, the shank 66 of the key 24 willbe allowed to pass into the key slot 80 if the recesses 74 on the rim 72are aligned with and have the same size and arrangement as theprojections 84 in the key slot 80. When the key fits into the key slot80, the tab 76 on the key will engage the locking element 62 to therebycause movement of the locking element in a manner to be hereinafterdescribed in more detail. Thus, when the key 24 is rotated, the tab 76will engage the locking element 62, causing movement of the lockingelement 62 out of the slot 64.

By reference to FIGS. 9-11 and 15 of the drawings, it can be observedthat the locking element 62 is provided with an arcuately shaped outeredge 87 which is adapted to extend into the groove 40. The lockingelement 62 is also provided with a somewhat central opening 88 toreceive the key shank 66. The opening 88 has one flat end 90 which maybe engaged by the tab 76, in the manner as illustrated in FIG. 11. Inthis way, when the key shank is turned in a counter-clockwise direction,it will engage the end 90 and cause movement of the locking element 62back into the locking mechanism housing 54. When the key shank 66 isrotated in the clockwise direction, to create a locking action, the tab76 will move through an arcuately shaped clearance 92 of the opening 88in the locking element 62. Moreover, as the key shank is rotated stillfurther in the clockwise direction, reference being made to FIGS. 9-11,the tab 76 will engage a flat camming wall 94 at the edge of the opening88, providing a camming effect, and thereby, push the locking element 62outwardly through the opening 64. The locking element is also providedwith a small opening 93 to receive a key stop 95 which may be a smallabutment or boss on a T-shaped end plate 102, the latter of which ishereinafter described.

The locking mechanism is provided with a plunger 96 biased outwardlytoward the flat end wall 58 by means of a spring 98, as more fullyillustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, in order to latch the locking element 62in a locked position when the key is removed. Thus, when the key shank66 is initially inserted into the key slot 80, the plunger will be fullydepressed to the position as shown in FIG. 17. When the key is turned inthe clockwise direction, it will cause the locking element 62 to moveinto the groove 40 of the lug nut 20 in the manner as previouslydescribed. When the key is then turned in the counter-clockwisedirection, it will remove the locking element 62 from the groove 40.

The plunger 96 and the spring 98 are retained within acylindrically-shaped recess 100 on a somewhat T-shaped end plate 102fitted within the inner end of the locking mechanism housing 54. Theplunger 96 is biased outwardly, that is to the right, in order to engagethe inwardly presented surface of the locking element 62, as illustratedin FIGS. 17 and 20. Moreover, when in the unlocked position of FIGS. 17,the plunger 96 will engage the inwardly presented surface of the lockingelement 62. However, when the locking element 62 is pushed into thelocked position, such that the edge 87 extends into the groove 40, theplunger 96 will be forced by the action of the spring 98 into an opening104 in the form of a recess, formed in the locking element 62 when thekey is removed. The plunger 96 is actually shown extended into theopening 104 when the locking element 62 has been moved into the lockedposition, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 16 and 19 of the drawings.

When it is desired to open the lock, the key is again inserted into thekey slot 80, which will push the plunger 96 inwardly against the actionof the compression spring 98. Moreover, when the key is turned, thiswill simultaneously cause movement of the locking element into thelocking mechanism housing 54. The key can only be effectively removedfrom the locking mechanism when the latter is in the locked condition.Thus, when the key is in the unlocked position, it will be retentivelyheld within the locking mechanism inasmuch as the tab 76 will be turnedunder and retentively held within the locking mechanism by means of ashoulder 108 which projects radially inwardly from the locking mechanismhousing 54, in the manner as illustrated in FIG. 8. However, when thekey is turned to the locked position, the key can be effectively removedfrom the key slot 80, and the locking mechanism will remain in thelocked position. When it is desired to unlock the sleeve 22 from the lugnut 20, the key is again inserted such that the key shank moves into thekey slot 80 with the tab 76 projecting into the keyway 82. When the keyhas been fully inserted into the key slot 80, it is then turned furtherin the counter-clockwise direction. As this occurs, the key will causeretraction of the locking element 62 back into the key locking mechanismhousing 54, in the manner as illustrated in FIG. 11.

It can be observed in accordance with the present invention that thereis no need to provide a tumbler operated locking mechanism. Theprojections 84 projecting into the key slot 80, along with the recesses74 arranged on the rim 72 of the key, provide a unique securitykey-locking mechanism combination. Thus, unless one has a key with theprecise arrangement of the recesses 74 on the rim 72 to match theprojections 84 in the key slot 80, the key cannot be inserted into thekey slot 80. Only that key having the properly located recesses 74 toconform to the precise location of the projections 84 and having thesame spacing thereof will be afforded entry into the locking mechanism.

It can also be observed that a large number of key and locking mechanismarrangements can be provided. Thus, for example, by slightly rotatingone of the projections 84 in the key slot 80 and by correspondinglyrotating the position of the recess 74 on the rim 72, a second uniquekey and key-lock combination are provided. Moreover, by varying thesizes of the recesses and correspondingly varying the sizes of theprojections in the key slot 80 will similarly cause different key andlocking mechanism combinations.

FIG. 21(A) and 21(B) illustrate another combination of a key and keyslot arrangement. One such key 24, as illustrated in FIG. 21(A), has adifferent spacing between the various recesses 74. By reference to FIG.21(B), it can be observed that the projections 84 are also rotated so asto conform to the position of the recesses 74 in FIG. 21(A). FIGS. 22(A)and 22(B) illustrate another corresponding key 24 and a key mechanismhaving a key slot 80 of the type illustrated in FIG. 22(B). In thiscase, it can be observed that the recesses 74 in the key of FIG. 22(A)are aligned with the projections 84 in the key slot 80 of the key ofFIG. 22(B).

The locking mechanism of the present invention is also unique in that itdoes not utilize tumblers. The unique configuration of the key and thekey slot eliminates the need for any type of tumbler locking mechanism.Inasmuch as there is no need for a tumbler locking mechanism, there isobviously no need for a housing with an elongate stem to operate thevarious tumblers. Accordingly, the key receiving member used in thelocking mechanism of the present invention may have a very short length.As a result, the locking mechanism itself has a very short length, thatis it is thin somewhat like a pancake type construction. Thus, all ofthe disadvantages of tumbler operated locks located on the wheel lugnuts have been completely eliminated. Moreover, the locking mechanismitself is relatively simple in that the key itself can operate as thedriver. Inasmuch as the key provides a camming action against thelocking element, there is no need for a special complex lockingmechanism.

The security locking system has been described in connection with thelocking of a vehicle wheel lug onto a wheel. However, it should beunderstood that this locking mechanism could be used in a variety ofsituations in which a threaded member is to be locked onto a structure.Moreover, the security locking system of the present invention may beconstructed as a unique combination with the locking nut or bolt, suchas a wheel locking lug nut or bolt or similar nut or bolt, the sleevewhich carries the locking mechanism, and the key therefor. Otherwise,the sleeve carrying the locking mechanism and the key could be adaptedas a unique combination for existing lug nuts and bolts which can beprovided with the internal groove for receiving the locking element.

Thus, there has been illustrated and described, a unique and novelsecurity locking system which does not require the provision of atumbler operated locking mechanism and which thereby fulfills all of theobjects and advantages which have been sought. It should be understoodthat many changes, modifications, variations and other uses andapplications will become apparent to those skilled in the art afterconsidering this specification and the accompanying drawings. Therefore,any and all such changes, modifications, variations, and other uses andapplications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of theinvention are deemed to be covered by the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I desire to claim and secureby letters patent is:
 1. A non-tumbler key operated lock mechanism whichmay be constructed in a small compact size, said lock mechanismcomprising:(a) a body having a central bore and a locking elementreceiving slot formed therein, (b) a slidable locking element disposedin said locking element receiving slot and capable of shifting movementin said slot from a non-locking position in the body outwardly of thebody to a locking position, said locking element also having a recesstherein, (c) a plate located with respect to said central bore, (d) aplunger retained by the plate and extendable through a portion of saidcentral bore into a position where it may extend into said recess insaid locking element to hold the latter in the locking position andwhich may be biased out of the recess to permit a movement of thelocking element to the non-locking position, (e) means on said lockingelement to coact with a key and cause a movement of the locking elementthrough a camming action with movement of the key, (f) an arcuatelyshaped key receiving opening formed in an end wall of the body and sizedto receive the shank of a key, and (g) means associated with said keyreceiving opening to coact with the key and provide key combinations tothereby determine if the key has a proper configuration to open andclose the lock mechanism.
 2. The non-tumbler key operated lock mechanismof claim 1 further characterized in that the means associated with saidkey receiving opening comprises a plurality of radial projections whichextend into said key receiving opening and where all of the projectionsmay lie in the same radial plane in the slot, and which permits entry ofa key shank into the slot and operates the lock mechanism if such keyshank has recesses positionally oriented with the projections andalignable with the projections, and where the recesses may also lie inthe same radial plane.
 3. The non-tumbler key operated lock mechanism ofclaim 2 further characterized in that each of said projections have thesame size and shape.
 4. The non-tumbler key operated lock mechanism ofclaim 3 further characterized in that said projections are mirror imageconstructions of the size and shape of the recesses on the key shank. 5.A non-tumbler key operated lock mechanism which may be constructed in asmall compact size, said lock mechanism comprising:(a) a body having acentral bore and a locking element receiving slot formed therein, (b) aslidable locking element disposed in said locking element receiving slotand capable of shifting movement in said slot from a non-lockingposition in the body outwardly of the body to a locking position, saidlocking element also having a recess therein, (c) a plate located withrespect to said central bore, (d) a plunger retained by the plate andextendable through a portion of said central bore into a position whereit may extend into said recess in said locking element to hold thelatter in the locking position and which may be biased out of the recessto permit a movement of the locking element to the non-locking position,(e) means on said locking element to coact with a key and cause amovement of the locking element through a camming action with movementof the key, (f) an arcuately shaped key receiving opening formed in anend wall of the body and sized to receive the shank of a key, (g) aplurality of non-symmetrically arranged projections extending into saidkey receiving opening, and where all of the projections in said keyreceiving opening lie in a single radial plane generally perpendicularto the axis of the opening and where all of the projections in saidsingle radial plane extend for only a relatively short distance alongthe axial dimension of said opening, said projections also beingirregularly and non-symmetrically spaced around the opening in thesingle radial plane, and (h) a key having an arcuately shaped key shankfor use with said lock mechanism and having a plurality of irregularlyspaced recesses on the shank of said key and which recesses all lie in asingle radial plane generally perpendicular to the axis of the arcuatelyshaped shank, the recesses on the shank generally being located in thesame radial plane as the projections in the opening during a portion ofthe axial movement of the key shank into the opening, the recesses onthe shank also extending for only a relatively short distance along theaxial dimension of said shank and being irregularly andnon-symmetrically spaced around the periphery of the shank of the key insaid single radial plane, said key being adapted to open the lockingmechanism if the recesses are arranged to be aligned with saidprojections during a portion of the axial movement of the shank when theshank is inserted into said opening.
 6. A security locking device forlockably mounting with respect to an externally threaded section on astructure, said locking device comprising:(a) a threadedly mountedretaining member for threaded securement on the threaded portion of saidstructure, said retaining member being comprised of:(1) a body having aninterior bore, (2) a threaded section adapted for threaded engagementwith the threaded portion of said structure, (b) a sleeve-lockingsection extendable over a portion of said retaining member, saidsleeve-locking section being comprised of:(1) a sleeve extendable oversaid retaining member, (2) a locking mechanism carried by said sleeveand located to be in a locking position with respect to said threadedlymounted retaining member for providing a locking action with saidretaining member, (3) an arcuately shaped key receiving opening in saidsleeve which permits access by a key to said locking mechanism, and saidlocking mechanism having a plurality of irregularly spaced projectionsextending into said opening and where all of the projections in said keyreceiving opening lie in a single radial plane generally perpendicularto the axis of the opening and where all of the projections in saidsingle radial plane extend for only a relatively short distance alongthe axial dimension of said opening, said projections also beingirregularly and non-symmetrically spaced around the opening in thesingle radial plane, (c) a key for locking a releasing said lockingmechanism, said key being comprised of:(1) an arcuately shaped shanksized to extend into said key receiving opening and into said lockingmechanism, and (2) a plurality of irregularly spaced recesses on theshank of said key and which recesses all lie in a single radial planegenerally perpendicular to the axis of the arcuately shaped shank, therecesses on the shank generally being located in the same radial planeas the projections in the opening during a portion of the axial movementof the key shank into the opening, the recesses on the shank alsoextending for only a relatively short distance along the axial dimensionof said shank and being irregularly and non-symmetrically spaced aroundthe periphery of the shank of the key in said single radial plane, saidkey being adapted to open the locking mechanism if the recesses arearranged to be aligned with said projections during a portion of theaxial movement of the shank when the shank is inserted into saidopening.
 7. The security locking device of claim 6 further characterizedin that said opening is a circularly shaped opening and said key shankis circularly shaped with substantially the same radius as said opening.8. The security locking device of claim 7 further characterized in thatsaid key has a circularly shaped continuous wall with an opening thereinand which key fits into said circularly shaped opening.
 9. The securitylocking device of claim 8 further characterized in that each of saidplurality of projections extending into said circularly shaped openingand said plurality of recesses on said key each have the same size andshape but which are irregularly spaced around said opening and said key.10. The security locking device of claim 9 further characterized in thatsaid key will fit into said opening and unlock or lock said lockingmechanism only when the recesses on said key have the same radialpositioning as and are arranged and sized to receive the projections insaid opening, and said key will not fit into said opening and will notoperate said locking mechanism if the recesses on said key do not havethe same radial positioning as and are not arranged and sized to receivesaid projections.
 11. The security locking device of claim 6 furthercharacterized in that said locking mechanism is spaced from an interiorsurface of said sleeve thereby forming an annular recess, and said bodyof said threadedly mounted retaining member has an end which extendsinto said annular recess.
 12. The security locking device of claim 11further characterized in that said locking mechanism comprises anextendable locking element which extends into and out of said lockingmechanism, and said threadedly mounted retaining member has a groovetherein arranged to receive said extendable locking member such that thesleeve may rotate about but cannot be removed from the threadedlymounted retaining member when the locking element extends into saidgroove.
 13. The security locking device of claim 12 furthercharacterized in that a tab projects outwardly from said key shank andis extendable into a tab receiving slot in communication with saidopening to ensure an insertion of the key shank into the opening, onlyin a single orientation.
 14. The security locking device of claim 13further characterized in that a camming means exists between saidprojecting tab on said key and said locking element which causesmovement of said locking element by a camming action.
 15. A securitylocking system for lockably mounting onto a threaded structure, saidlocking system comprising:(a) a threaded retaining member for mountingto said threaded structure and which threaded member has a body with aninterior bore, (b) a groove also formed in the interior bore of saidbody, (c) a sleeve extendable over said threaded member and enclosingsaid threaded member to an extent sufficient to preclude removal of thethreaded retaining member from the threaded structure, (d) a non-tumbleroperated locking mechanism on said sleeve, said locking mechanism havinga body with an arcuately shaped key receiving opening and which lockingmechanism may receive a key having the arcuate shape of said keyreceiving opening, and (e) a plurality of irregularly andnon-symmetrically arranged projections extending into said arcuatelyshaped key receiving opening and where all of the projections in saidkey receiving opening lie in a single radial plane generallyperpendicular to the axis of the opening and where all of theprojections in said single radial plane extend for only a relativelyshort distance along the axial dimension of said opening, saidprojections also being irregularly and non-symmetrically spaced aroundthe opening in the single radial plane, (f) a key having an arcuatelyshaped key shank for use with said locking system and having a pluralityof irregularly spaced recesses on the shank of said key and whichrecesses all lie in a single radial plane generally perpendicular to theaxis of the arcuately shaped shank, the recesses on the shank generallybeing located in the same radial plane as the projections in the openingduring a portion of the axial movement of the key shank into theopening, the recesses on the shank also extending for only a relativelyshort distance along the axial dimension of said shank and beingirregularly and non-symmetrically spaced around the periphery of theshank of the key in said single radial plane, (g) a locking elementforming part of said locking mechanism and being capable of extendingoutwardly from the body of said locking mechanism and into said grooveto lockably hold said sleeve on said threaded member, and (h) said keybeing enabled access to said key receiving opening to cause movement ofthe locking element only if the recesses on the shank are oriented andaligned with the projections but which will not be enabled access if therecesses are not oriented and alignable with the projections to therebycontrol movement of the locking element.
 16. The security locking systemof claim 15 further characterized in that the projections in the keyreceiving opening of said locking mechanism all have the same size andshape.
 17. The security locking system of claim 15 further characterizedin that said projections which extend into said opening and saidrecesses on said shank all have the same size and shape.
 18. Thesecurity locking system of claim 15 further characterized in that a tabprojects outwardly from said key shank and is extendable into a tabreceiving slot communicating with said opening to ensure an insertion ofthe key shank into the opening only in a single orientation.
 19. Anon-tumbler key operated locking assembly, said locking assemblycomprising:(a) a body having an opening therein, (b) a locking elementlocated in said body and capable of extending outwardly of said bodythrough said opening into engagement with an external structure tocreate a locking action and said locking element capable of being movedback into said body to permit unlocking, (c) an arcuately shaped keyreceiving opening on said body to receive a key, (d) a plurality ofprojections extending into said key receiving opening, and where all ofthe projections in said key receiving opening lie in a single radialplane generally perpendicular to the axis of the opening and where allof the projections in said single radial plane extend for only arelatively short distance along the axial dimension of said opening,said projections also having the same size and shape and beingirregularly and non-symmetrically spaced around the opening in thesingle radial plane, (e) a key provided for use with said lockingassembly, said key having an elongate arcuately shaped shank, aplurality of irregularly spaced recesses on the shank of said key andwhich recesses have the same size and shape and all lie in a singleradial plane generally perpendicular to the axis of the arcuately shapedshank, the recesses on the shank generally being located in the sameradial plane as the projections in the opening during a portion of theaxial movement of the key shank into the opening, the recesses on theshank also extending for only a relatively short distance along theaxial dimension of said shank and being irregularly andnon-symmetrically spaced around the periphery of the shank of the key insaid single radial plane, said recesses on said shank being sized andshaped to receive and allow the projections on said shank to be fittedinto the recesses such that said key is enabled access to said keyreceiving opening to cause movement of said locking element if saidrecesses are oriented and aligned with the projections but which willnot be enabled access to said key receiving opening if the recesses arenot orientable and alignable with the projections, and (f) a tab locatedon said key and which is engagable with said locking element formovement of said locking element through a camming action when said keyis inserted into the opening of said body.
 20. The locking assembly ofclaim 19 further characterized in that said key receiving opening iscircularly shaped and said key has a circularly shaped shank.